THE BULFINCH. 



BULFINCH. This bird has no natural song, but is 

 gifted with the ability of imitating, with an astonish- 

 ing accuracy, in a sweet and flutelike tone, almost 

 any air that is whistled, or played to them on an 

 instrument. This has made him a great favorite 

 among all lovers of birds. 



In Germany, particularly in Hesse and Saxony, a 

 large number of these birds are taught, and by the 

 dealers brought to various parts of the world. The 

 raising and teaching is generally accomplished by 

 shoemakers, tailors, and weavers, who, being con- 

 fined to their rooms, are thus enabled to take care of 

 them. The teaching begins from the time they are 

 taken into the house. The tune that it is intended 

 they should learn is whistled to them whistling is 

 always preferred, as instruments are generally too 

 shrill several times a day, more particularly in 

 the morning and evening. The tune must be whis- 

 tled always in the same key, and no other tune 

 whistled in the hearing of the bird, which is kept 



